Page 19 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

“I hear the guy he’s bringing is an old friend of his. Apparently they used to do this together all the time before they separated for work. Chris doesn’t even live here, and that seems like the best plan for me because if things don’t work out, I never have to see him again.”

“I see you’ve got it all figured out. So, what about this friend of his? Do you know his name?”

“No, no idea. He promised me he’d be a good time.”

Poppy and I didn’t waste any time waiting around for Chris to find us. We took to the dance floor, enjoying our time around some of the hottest men I’d seen in New York in a while. One of them got just close enough that it ignited something inside of me I hadn’t felt in a while. He pulled my hair back, exposing my ear so he could tell me something, and I smiled.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“You definitely can.”

I saw Poppy waving at me, raising her eyebrows as if she were practically telling me to go for it, and I couldn’t argue with that. I saw a well-dressed, blonde man approach from behind her, and her entire demeanor changed as she got incredibly shy almost instantly. Ah, so that’s Chris Grant. I wonder who he brought with him.

I listened to this hot stranger tell me all about what it was like moving to New York for the first time, sipping on the drink he bought me, feeling my cheeks blush. His phone rang a few moments in and he made his way to the bathrooms for a little quiet so he could take it. I stirred my drink while I waited, glancing over my shoulder looking for Poppy just as someone came up behind me, tapping my shoulder.

“Hello, Katherine.” The soft, honeyed tone of his voice made my eyes widen and I nearly spit out my drink when I saw him standing there.

“Preston?”

“I didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” he said, with that perfect smirk.

“Trust me, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight either. I’d ask what you’re doing in Brooklyn, but this isn’t the first time I’ve run into you out here.”

“Yes, well Brooklyn is the one place I feel like I can get away for the night. It’s also where I tend to meet some of the most beautiful women,” he teased.

It was like he was a different person out here, like I could just forget how complicated things were between us. He flirted with me like nothing had changed, like we were still wrapped up in each other like we had been a few months ago. I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol that left me buzzed or the scent of his familiar cologne filling my nostrils, but I was on a high and something told me that he began to notice.

“Can I buy you a drink, Kat?”

“Thanks, Preston, but I already have one. Besides, it’s not like you’re here to chat with me. I’m sure you can find another woman that’s willing to put up with your games,” I said, and he raised an eyebrow at me, chuckling.

“If I recall, there was a time you liked my games.”

“Well, that was before I realized just how much of an ass you could really be,” I snapped.

That wasn’t enough to wipe that beaming smile off of his face, but I wasn’t giving up. I was suddenly overcome with a mix of emotions, feeling the anger, the passion, and everything else he’d made me feel rose to the surface. It’s time you had the chance to feel what I felt, Preston. Maybe then you’ll learn not to ruin a good thing. I downed the rest of my drink just as the hot stranger came rushing back over with an apologetic smile about the call he’d been on. He outstretched his hand and I took it, glancing back at Preston as we made our way to the dance floor.

The music thumped loudly and I felt it flow through me as he got up close behind me, holding me at the waist while we danced the night away. I turned to see Preston standing there with a drink in his hand, sipping it while his jaw tensed, and it felt incredible. I saw Chris and Poppy approach him, and the look on Poppy’s face was priceless when she figured out the connection, but I put the pieces together from the time Preston showed up. One shark can’t seem to go anywhere without the other. I should’ve guessed.

The adrenaline was rushing through me as the lights dimmed, and the colorful beams darted across the room. I danced with the stranger throwing glances at Preston from time to time. He rolled up his button-up shirt, ordering another drink, but his eyes never left me. Once the song was over and my feet finally started to hurt in my ridiculously high heels, I felt a soft hand touch my shoulder. I turned around to see Poppy standing there with her eyes wide, biting her lip as she gestured over to Chris and Preston.

“I had no idea the guy Chris was bringing tonight would be Preston. I’m so sorry, Kat,” she said, and I chuckled.

“From the moment I saw him, I had a feeling, but it’s okay. Don’t let it ruin your night. It certainly didn’t ruin mine,” I responded.

“I’ll say. Preston can’t take his eyes off of you. Maybe he’s finally realizing that he let a good thing go. Though, that is not your opening to run right back into his arms, okay?”

“Nope, definitely not. I have to say, if Chris is anything like Preston, you really need to be watching your back too,” I warned.

“Trust me, Kat, I’m not looking for anything serious. I’m just here to have a little fun,” she replied, but I saw the look in her eyes.

I knew she was into him from the first time I saw them together. She had the same look on her face that she probably saw on mine a few months ago when I’d first started seeing Preston. I need to look out for her. I know how easy it can be to get swept away by a Manhattan shark, forgetting that they love to play games, and they always bite. Not this time. Not my best friend.

We left the club later, standing on the sidewalk while Poppy tried to hail a cab, but they all sped right past her.

“Kat?”

“Yes?” I saw Preston standing there with his slightly sweaty hair and perfect stubble. I couldn’t deny how hot he looked, and how much I wished things were different so that I could feel his skin on mine again, but I wasn’t going to allow myself to get involved knowing I’d get hurt. If he could do that to me once, he could definitely do it again. It’s in his nature, and it’s all the more reason I need to stay away from him.

“Let me give you a ride,” he offered.

“No, that’s okay. Poppy and I will find a cab.”

“Come on, Kat. The chances of you finding a cab are slim at best. You may not like me very much right now, but the least I can do is make sure you both get home safe.”

“Fine. Poppy! Come on!”

She looked confused until her eyes caught sight of Preston’s limousine and we all piled in, getting comfortable while we rode back home for the night.

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